Past events

Gales of November - A White Mountains Adventure with Mark, Dan, & Dwight Wednesday, May 2, 2012 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm   US-31, Traverse City Store Location   Join us for a night of story-telling and pictures from three guys who decide to tackle the White Mountains! The White Mountains are located in New Hampshire; this national forest feature hundreds of miles of trails with varying elevations and some of the worst weather known to man recorded in the area. With a little bit of planning and training, these guys are here to prove that if they can do it, you can too! Each participant will be given a copy of AMC White Mountain Map to follow along or to plan a trip of their own! Be sure to stop in at one of our stores to sign up for this great evening of information and fun! Cost: $5 per person. US-31 Location, Traverse City: 231-941-1100 Downtown Location, Traverse City: 231-946-1339

Appalachian Trail Slideshow with Joe Fordon Wednesday, May 9, 2012 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm   US-31, Traverse City Store Location   Come join us for a slideshow of the Appalachian Trail, presented by our own Joe Fordon. Whether you are simply curious or planning a trip of your own, this slideshow will give you insight as to how life is on the trail. Each participant will be given one of Joe's favorite items; a Rite in the Rain waterproof notepad. Be sure to stop in at one of our stores to sign up for this great evening of information and fun! Cost: $5 per person US-31 Location, Traverse City: 231-941-1100 Downtown Location, Traverse City: 231-946-1339

Garage Sale and Used Gear Sale Saturday, May 12, 2012 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm   US-31, Traverse City Store Location   This is a great opportunity to sell your lightly used gear and update your old equipment. We gather up our unsold products, discontinued items, and sales samples for this event, while our employees also bring in their barely used items so that we can offer you some great deals at some amazing prices! Drop-off for the sale is Saturday, May 12 between 10:00am -11:00 am; be sure your items are clean and lightly used. The sale runs from 12:00pm - 7:00pm and all participants will receive a store credit for the full amount of their sold items - no commission charged! Pick up for your unsold gear is between 7:00pm and 8:00pm - anything unclaimed after pick-up hours will be donated to the Goodwill Inn. Be sure to stop by on this day because whether you are buying, selling, or both - there is sure to be a great selection! Please call our US-31 location if you have any further questions about this event. US-31 Location, Traverse City: 231-941-1100

Annual Kayak Symposium Birmingham: Saturday, May 5, 2012 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, Cass Lake in Birmingham Traverse City: Saturday, June 2, 2012 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, Clinch Park in Traverse City   This annual on-water tutorial has become one of the most popular Backcountry North events! Come spend an afternoon with us learning about boat design, paddling techniques, and safety procedures. We will provide the information needed to select the right kayak for your needs and help you to develop safe paddling habits on the water. You may choose the instructional section that you would like to partake in. More information is available during registration. Representatives from Wilderness Systems, Native Kayaks, Current Designs, and Liquid Logic will be there to offer instruction, answer questions, and also have a variety of model kayaks available for you to demo. Backcountry North staff will be on hand to answer questions about gear. Lunch is provided and all participants will receive a coupon for discounts on kayaks and paddle-related accessories purchased over the weekend of the demo. Space is limited as this event has a 40 person capacity per location, so be sure to sign up soon! Pre-registration is required; contact your closest Backcountry North location for more information!  Cost: $50 per person  Downtown Location, Birmingham: 248-885-8750 US-31 Location, Traverse City: 231-941-1100 Downtown Location, Traverse City: 231-946-1339

Traverse City Sidewalk Sale  Traverse City closes off Front street for this once a year event. We combine some of the best deals from all three of our stores to offer you the best prices and biggest selection possible! Many people like to come down and make a day of it, as the Sidewalk Sale runs all day, and Friday Night Live begins later in the evening with vendors, live entertainment and many other events for the whole family.

Kokatat MsFit Tour PFD "Update Your PaddleWear" Sale We all have a few pieces of paddling gear that may be past their prime, worn out, or just plain outgrown. We want to ensure that every one of our customers has a fun and safe experience on the water; worn out gear isn’t only uncomfortable it’s also unsafe. We are offering 20% off on Kokatat and NRS paddlewear to encourage you to be outfitted properly. That means upgrade that old gear, or acquire some new paddling gear that you don’t already have. Remember; always dress for the swim not for the air temperature. As an added bonus: We will have a free gift with every purchase over $100 and free giveaways throughout the day (while supplies last). Snacks will also be provided for this event. US-31 Location Only.

Stan paddling the open seas... Stan Chladek:  “Jungle Journeys in Central America;  Descend into the Maya Underworld” Monday, November 1, 2010 Traverse City Location Stan Chladek is back again! Just like last year, Stan will recount his wild adventures, but this time, about a different part of a world. We are lucky to have the kayaking legend visit us again! For this year, in the words of Stan: “A limestone layer underlies a large part of the area inhabited by Maya in Central America. This karst topography is distinguished by the presence of many caves, cenotes (sinkholes) and underground rivers. For the Maya, this hidden, dark, watery underground world had great religious significance; being equated with the entry to their Underworld, called in K’iche language Xibalba.” “In the last few years, I have extensively traveled to the Maya area exploring many - sometimes fairly remote - caves, which were ritually used by the Mayan people many centuries ago. My native guides and I traveled by foot, horse, canoe, kayak or pick-up truck deep into the jungle and descended under it’s surface to crawl or swim in the dark underground caves and rivers. I will discuss my experience from these adventures, during which we discovered astonishing amount of artifacts in the ancient Maya cave-shrines, which provided exciting evidence of ancient Maya arcane rituals."  There is no fee for this event. Stan's presentation will be held at the Inside Out Gallery, Traverse City. Please call to sign up!

"How to Backpack Around the World" Ever dreamed of a trip around the world? Robert Downes, author of Planet Backpacker, has backpacked through more than 45 countries, with destinations ranging from the super-cities of the Third World to the heart of the American wilderness. Downes was 54 when he set out to bicycle and backpack around the world in 2007, pursuing a lifelong dream. His itinerary was dictated by a vow to see most of the places he’d always dreamed of: things like Admiral Nelson’s HMS Victory, the temple of Abu Simbel on the border of Sudan, and the beaches of Goa, India. That ‘bucket list’ included cycling across England and down the Danube on a mountain bike, and sailing down the Nile in a felucca with a lateen sail. To cut costs and savor the world from the bottom up, Downes often stayed in the cheapest digs possible -- including camping, sharing hostels with young backpackers, and rubbing elbows with the locals at native guesthouses. Join us at the Birmingham store for travel tales from Traverse City native Robert Downes. He’ll share photos and stories from his trip across Europe and Asia, as well as tips on planning, execution and packing light. Find out more about Robert Downes at http://www.planetbackpacker.net/.

An example of gear you might find at the sale. Used Equipment Sale Our second annual Used Equipment Sale is one of the best opportunities in Northern Michigan to pick-up quality used gear at a great price... Here's how it works: •We gather up our odds-and-ends, discontinued items and special deals to offer them to you at unbelieveably low prices. • Our employees bring in all the pristine equipment they've updated or replaced (they do that often) to sell. • Not enough? You can bring in your used equipment to sell. Keep the money (less a 20% commission) or get 100% credit toward the purchase of new gear at Backcountry. • The icing on the cake - some of our sales reps will bring in their sample packs, tents, boots and clothes to sell at rock bottom prices. This is the time to get a deal on gently used gear or sell some of the equipment you'd like to upgrade. We will only accept gear from 11:00 a.m. to noon on the day of the sale. All unsold gear and loot must be claimed by 6:00 p.m. the day of the sale.

Zach climbing at Shawangunk Ridge   Climbing Gear Sale Old climbing equipment can sometimes be more than outdated; it can be unsafe. As an incentive for you to finally toss that old outdated harness or just get some new gear, we are offering 10% off all climbing gear, with discounts up to 40% on discontinued merchandise.  Snacks will be provided, so we encourage you to swing on in pick up some new gear and share a few stories of that epic climb over a cup of hot cider. This event is at our US-31 location only.

Winter camping can be a ton of fun with the right gear Winter Camping Class Wednesday, January 12, 2010 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Downtown, Traverse City Location Most of our staff goes camping year round and we think you should too! No bugs, no crowds, no noisy neighbors, and spectacular views of the night sky are just a few reasons to go camping in the winter. One of our favorite sayings around the store is that "there is no such thing as bad weather; only bad clothing and equipment." We will help to remove some of the mystery, answer questions, and provide you with some tips to help you stay warm, cozy, and happy throughout the long Michigan winters. The best way to prevent cabin fever is to play outside often! There is no fee for this event. Class is from 6:30 pm to 8:00 at the downtown store location. Limit is 10 people. Reservations are required, so call either Traverse City location to sign-up!

Sandy Graham and the Dunes of Doom 8:30 pm Saturday, January 15, 2010 Grand Traverse Area Sandy Graham will lead us on an after-dark trek through the Sleeping Bear Dunes.This is one of our favorite (and most challenging) snowshoe hikes in the area. We will meet at a designated location at 8:30 pm, then drive to the Pyramid Point trailhead. It will almost be a full moon, so with a clear night, we should get some spectacular views. This is a strenuous hike down and back up the dunes and through the forest ridge, so come prepared! This area is part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, so you will need to obtain a vehicle permit or pay the daily entrance fee before you arrive. There is no additional cost for this event, unless you need to rent snowshoes, which cost $10 for the evening and must be reserved in advance. We have only 10 pair available for rentals, so be sure to call early! Downtown, Traverse City: 231-946-1339

Boardman River Paddle   1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Sunday, February 20, 2010 If you spend your winter dreaming of paddling, then this Traverse City event is for you! John Lewis will be our guide as we paddle down the Boardman River and enjoy the tranquility that only a Northern Michigan winter can provide. Join us about a half hour from town as we paddle through the calm turns of this great recreational river. This is easy moving water, but river obstacles can present some unique challenges. We'll help arrange moving your car for this one-way adventure. There is a $30 fee for this class if you need to borrow equipment and $20 if you have your own. Space is limited and reservations are required. Fees must be paid upon registration and are non-refundable. Class limit is 12 people. Please call to register. Downtown, Traverse City: 231-946-1339

Backpackers Pantry Freeze-Dried Food   "What's for Dinner?" (Backcountry Cooking Class) Wednesday, January 19, 2010  (FULL) Thursday, January 20, 2010  (FULL) 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Downtown, Traverse City Location There is more to food in the backcountry than just Ramen noodles! Good food can provide more than just sustenance when you’re on the water or trail. A good meal can make a good day better and a bad day bearable. Join us for this introduction to backcountry cooking. We'll talk about menu planning, food preparation, and gourmet feasting. The evening discussion will include stoves, water filters, preparing food from scratch, and the ease of using pre-packaged freeze dried meals. Be prepared to snack, as we will be sampling some of our favorite meals along the way. There is no fee for this event. Class is from 6:30 pm to 8:00 at the downtown store location. Limit is 10 people. Reservations are required, so call either Traverse City location to sign-up!

Chi Running Clinic with Sarah Young, MS Sunday, April 22, 2012 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm   Downtown, Birmingham Store Location  Are you a runner who would like to increase your distance and comfort? Are you a new runner and would like to learn the proper technique for injury-free exercise? Join us for a four hour hand-on running clinic with Sarah Young, certified Chi Running Instructor. We will start in the store, and head out for an easy, instructional outdoor workshop. Sign up online at www.chirunning.com or call the Birmingham store. Cost: $100 per Person (Use the code BCN25 for a $25 Discount)  Downtown Location, Birmingham: 248-885-8750

Michigan's Top 10 Backpacking Treks with Jim DuFresne Tuesday, April 24, 2012 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm   US-31, Traverse City Store Location   Michigan is home to a wide range of adventures and author DuFresne will show his audience the best of them in his new presentation; Michigan's Top Ten Backpacking Treks. DuFresne's latest book is Backpacking in Michigan (The University of Michigan Press) and from it he chooses 10 walks every backpacker should hike at least once in their life. Presented as a David Letterman's Top 10 List, DuFresne combines outstanding photography and a colorful narration as he leads backpackers from one end of the state to the other, finishing with Michigan's top trail and the best reason to hoist a backpack. DuFresne is the author of almost 20 guidebooks, including Isle Royale National Park: Foot Trails & Water Routes and Best Hikes with Children: Michigan (Mountaineer Books), 50 Hikes in Michigan (Backcountry Publications), and Tramping in New Zealand and Hiking in Alaska (Lonely Planet). Each participant will be given a copy of Michigan Trail Maps: Jordan River Pathway. Be sure to stop in at one of our stores to sign up for this great evening of information and fun! Cost: $5 per person. US-31 Location, Traverse City: 231-941-1100 Downtown Location, Traverse City: 231-946-1339

7th Annual Reel Paddling Film Festival Wednesday, April 25, 2012 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm  US-31, Traverse City Store Location   Rapid Media's 7th Annual Reel Paddling Film Festival showcases the world's best paddling short films to audiences in Canada, United States, and around the world. The festival inspires more people to explore rivers, lakes, and oceans, push physical and emotional extremes, embrace the lifestyle and appreciate the heritage of the wild places we paddle. This night is sure to be a good time with friends, popcorn, refreshments, and giveaways! You can buy tickets at either of our store locations. Feel free to visit http://www.reelpaddlingfilmfestival.com/ for more information! Cost: $10 in Advance/ $12 at the Door US-31 Location, Traverse City: 231-941-1100 Downtown Location, Traverse City: 231-946-1339

Birmingham Annual Kayak Symposium Saturday, May 5, 2012 11:00 pm - 4:00 pm   Dodge Bros Park, Cass Lake, Birmingham   Come start Cinco de Mayo on the waters of Cass Lake when our most popular Traverse City event returns for the second year! Instruction, kayak demos, a "Cinco de Mayo" lunch, and weekend-long discounts. Let us fit you in a kayak chosen for your needs and skill level, get some on-water instruction and get outfitted for the summer in Michigan!   Space is limited as this event has a 40 person capacity, so be sure to sign up soon! Pre-registration is required; call our Birmingham location for more information!  Cost: $50 per person  Downtown Location, Birmingham: 248-885-8750

Expedition Greenland with Mary Murphy  Wednesday, May 1, 2013 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm US-31, Traverse City Location From flying across the ice pulled by thirteen Greenland dogs and hunting seals with the Inuit hunters, to living on the ice for twelve days, this trip was the experience of a lifetime! The scenery of all white consisted of packed ice, glaciers, mountains and magnificent icebergs. Mary Murphy was totally immersed in the Inuit culture where they only travel by sled dog or kayak and compared her experience to traveling back in time a thousand years ago. During her trip, she traveled to Greenland's northernmost village, 600 miles above the northernmost point of Alaska where temperatures ranged from 10 degrees to 25 degrees below zero! In this slideshow Mary will talk about her adventure, the psychological challenge it posed, and the life's lessons that she learned as a result. Admission: $5 Per Person Reservations are required, as space is limited. Stop in or call either Traverse City location to sign-up!

Backcounty Eats 101 (Back by Popular Demand!)  Thursday, May 2, 2013 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm US-31, Traverse City Location We often have people ask "What does a particular freeze dried meal taste like?" We always suggest that people try each meal at home before they get out into the backcountry where meal substitutions aren't an option. For this event, we will prepare a large variety of freeze dried meals and let you sample them all! Along the way, we will discuss stove types (and how to use them), water filtration and a few gems of advice from our staff that can help make your trip great. At the end, you will take home a list of each meal (and howo you rated it) that you can take home to assist in planning your next big adventure! Admission: $5 Per Person Reservations are required due to menu planning. Please be sure to pre-register before the day of the event. Stop in or call either Traverse City location to sign-up!

Everest High Passes Benefit with Sara Cockrell  Wednesday, May 8, 2013 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm US-31, Traverse City Location Experience the incredible area surrounding the world's highest point. For a $10 donation, you will experience the mountain scenery, villages, porters, yaks, prayer flags and mani walls. This was a once in a lifetime adventure, thanks to the generous, hard-working & at-peace Nepalese, who live simply and love life! Take a sneak peek of this amazing presentation here. The slideshow presentation benefits two worthy organizations that make a difference in the Everest region of Nepal. The first organization is The International Porter Protection Group, which ensures that mountain porters have adequate clothing, food, shelter, and medical care. The second organization being benefitted, is the Sir Edmund Hilary's Himalayan Trust. The children in the Everest mountain villages rarely go to school past the sixth grade since they need to go to work, farming with their families or as porters. The Himalayann Trust has been provising education, health care, and many other services, to improve the conditions for the Sherpa people in this remote area since 1960. $10 Suggested Donation   Stop in or call either Traverse City location to sign-up!

Chi Running Clinic with Sarah Young, MS Saturday, May 11, 2013 10:00 am - 2:00 pm   Downtown, Traverse City Store Location Are you a runner who would like to increase your distance and comfort? Are you a new runner and would like to learn the proper technique for injury-free exercise? Join us for a four hour hand-on running clinic with Sarah Young, certified Chi Running Instructor. We will start in the store, and head out for an easy, instructional outdoor workshop. The Chi Running Essentials workshop includes a single 1/2 day course, where the Instructor will be guiding you through many exercises and drills designed to leave you with a clear sense of what the Chi Running technique feels like in your body. We will not be doing lots of running (contrary to what you might imagine), so no matter what condition you are in, have no fear. We will spend time alternating between demonstrations, fun exercises and technique drills... the nature of the day will be relaxed, full and inspiring. Sign up online at www.chirunning.com and use code BCN25 to receive $25 off. Cost: $125 per Person (Use the code BCN25 for a $25 Discount)

Used Gear Sale & Garage Sale (Run by Boy Scout Troop #115!) Saturday, May 11, 2013* 12:00 am - 7:00 pm   US-31, Traverse City Store Location   Between noon and 7pm, come shop our Annual Used Gear Sale! This year the sale will be run by Boy Scout Troop #115, but the items being sold are yours! We are encouraging all of you - our customers - to bring in your lightly used gear to sell. Mark it at what you think is fair, and see how it goes! Now is a great time to do some spring cleaning and weed out any extras, or to sell your old gear and update to something new.  Individuals selling items at the Used Gear Sale will receive a credit for the FULL amount of their sale to go towards purchases at Backcountry North (no commision charged!). When the credit is used in the store, the Boy Scouts benefit as a portion of the sale proceeds goes to their troop.  In addition to the used gear, Backcountry North will also be doing some annual spring cleaning. You never know what treasures we have unearthed that can now be yours for a steal!Come support your local troop, find some great deals and update your equipment during this event! Used Gear Drop Off: 10:00 am - 11:00 am Used Gear Sale: 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm Unsold Used Gear Pick Up: 7:00 pm - 8:00 - - - - *Catalog Correction: The correct date is May 11th, not May 12th

Isle Royale Slideshow with Jim DuFresne Wednesday, May 9, 2012 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm   Downtown, Birmingham Store Location   Join Jim DuFresne, author of numerous popular outdoor wilderness guidebooks, including the recently released 4th edition of Isle Royale National Park Foot Trails and Water Routes,as he shares the beauty and adventure of this island park. DuFresne first explored Isle Royale when he was nine years old and has more than five decades of experience on the island. His new presentation focuses on the intriguing history of the country's first island national park and the most popular ways people explore the backcountry of this road-less wilderness. Be sure to call or stop in at the Birmingham store location to sign up for this presentation!   Cost: $5 per person. Downtown Location, Birmingham: 248-885-8750

What SUP? Birmingham Stand Up Paddleboard Event Saturday, May 19, 2012 11:00 am - 3:00 pm   Dodge Bros Park, Cass Lake, Birmingham   The first year for our new SUP event! Manufacturer's rep and Backcountry North staff will be there to provide basic instruction and opportunities to paddle a variety of SUP boards. Prepare to get wet! Dress for water temperature and bring a spare change of clothes. Suggested clothing: wet suit. Cost: $20 per person Downtown, Birmingham: 248-885-8750 Downtown Location, Traverse City: 231-946-1339

Sandy Graham and the Dunes of Doom 7:30 pm Saturday, February 23, 2013 Grand Traverse Area Sandy Graham will lead us on an after-dark trek through the Sleeping Bear Dunes.This is one of our favorite (and most challenging) snowshoe hikes in the area. We will meet at a designated location at 7:30 pm, then drive to the Pyramid Point trailhead. It will almost be a full moon, so with a clear night, we should get some spectacular views. This is a strenuous hike down and back up the dunes and through the forest ridge, so come prepared! This is a strenuous hike down and back up the dunes and through the forest ridge, so come prepared! There is no additional cost for this event, but please register so that we know how many to expect! If you need to rent snowshoes, we have a limited quantity available at $10 for the evening and must be reserved in advance. Be sure to call or stop by to register at either Traverse City location. US-31, Traverse City: 231-941-1100 Downtown, Traverse City: 231-946-1339

Banff Mountain Film Festival 2012/2013 World Tour With Special Guest, Alex Honnold! Tuesday, April 2, 2013 6:00pm - 8:30pm The State Theatre, Downtown Traverse City Tickets: $10 Advance, $15 at the Door *Post-Fest Celebration here at Backcountry North with Alex Honnold* * * * *
Backcountry North is proud to announce that the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is coming to Traverse City! "The Banff Mountain Film Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world. The Festival is held each year in Banff, Canada and features a collection of thought-provoking films from all over the globe. Hot on the heels of the festival each year, the best films head off on the Banff Mountain Festival World tour with stops in about 285 communities and 36 countries across the globe. Travelling from remote landscapes and cultures to adrenaline-packed action sports, the World Tour showcases the efforts and talents of the world’s finest mountain filmmakers." "Exhilarating and provocative, the 2013 World Tour is a must-see for mountain enthusiasts and those with a spirit of adventure. Through the big screen you will experience the highlights of adventure sports such as climbing, kayaking, alpine skiing and mountain expeditions and also visit remote cultures and some of the world’s last great wild places." Tickets for this event can be purchased in advance for $10 at either Traverse City Backcountry North location. - - - - - Alex Honnold is an American big wall free solo climber. He has broken a number of speed records, most notably including the only known solo climb (mostly free climbing, but using some points of aid) of the Yosemite Triple crown, an 18 hour 50 minute link up of Mt. Watkins, The Nose (El Capitan), and The Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome. Come meet Alex during the Post-Fest celebration at Backcountry North, directly following the Banff Film Festival showing! Please keep your Film Festival tickets for this event, as they are required for admission.

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Backcountry North 227 East Front Street Traverse City, MI 49684 231-946-1339	Backcountry North 2820 N. US-31 South Traverse City, MI 49684 231-941-1100	Backcountry North 284 West Maple Birmingham, MI 48009 248-885-8750